Apparatus for cleaning pipe systems



Feb. 16, 1965 W. J. KOLL ING APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPE SYSTEMS FiledMarch 26, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 YE 72' M M INVENTOR WILLIAM J KOLL/NC;

TT'O/QNEYJ Feb. 16, 1965 w. J. KOLLING 3,

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPE SYSTEMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26,1963 FLOW DIAGRAM cu'r OFF cow I-I, o souRcE AND DRAIN SYSTEM l ISOLATETHE "I I HOT WATER I L HEB L I {'IYOEITEETTI TRIP I I TO MOUTH OF I FILLRESERVOIR E A II vA I I E WITH CLEANING CONNECT SOURCE '1 SOLUTIONOFGOMPRESSED coImEcT AIRIsAsno RESERVOIR 0 PRESSURIZE RESERV IR SOURCEIPE RESERVOIR OPEN ALL ADMIT PRESSURIZED VALVES CLEANING SOLUTION TOSYSTEM ADM T PRESSURIZED CLEANING SOLUTION TO SYSTEM INDIVIDUALLY OPENEACH VALVE AND AMIT CLEANING SOLUTION TO VENT THEREFROH I I DRAINRESIDUAL IFFILL REsERvoIR} ICLEANING SOLUTION I IWITH FLUSHING I FROMSYSTEM I SQLUT I0LI ADMIT I I pngssumzgn l PRESSURIZE I IFLUSHINGSOLUTIONI RESERVOIR J I DISOONNECT I T0 SYS TE M I souRcE OF IIGOMPRESSED GAS EEJL EE JQIQI DISGDNNECT RESERVOIR 551 i @E I 3RECONNEGT cou) WATER SOURCE TO SOURCIE PIPE FLUSH PIPES WITH WATER BYVENTING THROUGH INVENTOR- AL E MLL/AM d [(bLL/NG RG5 M/M T'TOFPNE Y5United States Patent 3,169,545 7 APPARATUS F939. QLEANING PEPE SYSTEMSWilliam 1. Kciiing, 901 S. Broadway, Spring Valley, Minn. Fiied Mar. 26,1963, Set. N 268,17? 1 (Hahn. (Cl. 137-29) This invention relates tomethods for cleaning Water pipe systems and to apparatus used in suchmethods.

T he art has long experienced the problem of water pipe systems inbuildings gradually becoming filled with sedimentation and depositsoriginating from and associated with the water source used. Aside fromthe expedient of simply replacing the entire piping system, no practicalmethod and apparatus for cleaning pipesystems is known to me enablingone to extend useful pipe life and improve system capacity to deliverclean, fresh Water in abundance. While it has heretofore been proposedto use compressed air in combination with a cleaning liquid, suchtechniques have suffered from one or more disadvantages such asexcessive pipe vibration, excessive consumption of cleaning liquids, andthe like.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide asimple, efi'ective, practical method and apparatus for cleaning waterpipe systems in buildings.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatusemploying compressed air for cleaning the waterpipes of a water deliverysystem in a building.

It is another object of this invention to provide a process for cleaningthe interior of a water pipe delivery system involving the steps ofadmitting a liquid cleaning solution to the source pipe of this systemfrom which the water has been drained and thereafter applying sufficientpneumatic pressure to force portions thereof throughout the system andout the faucets.

It is another object of this invention to provide a refillable cartridgefor use in the foregoing described process.

It is another object of this invention to provide a refillable cartridgehaving in its upper end portion of a plugequipped liquid inlet openingand a valve-equipped air inlet tube and having its lower end portiontapered to a relatively restricted portion whichcommunicates with anormally extending tube through a plurality of longitudinally spacedapertures,-said tube being adapted for connection with the source pipeof a water delivery system.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

The invention is further described in the following specification takentogether With the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a cartridge constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, someportions thereof broken away;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, someportions thereof broken away and some parts shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a water system incorporating my invention;and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram giving the steps of operation.

Turning to the figures, there is seen in FIGS. 1-3 an embodiment of arefillable cartridge of the invention having a removable plug 11threaded into the opening in its restricted upper end portion 12. Theopening serves to admit cleaning solution 9 to the cartridge 10. Thelower end region 13 of the cartridge 10 is tapered. This tapered portion13 joins with a tube 14 whose axis extends normally to the axis of thecartridge 10. The interior of the cartridge 10 communicates with theinterior of tube 14 through a plurality of longitudinally spacedapertures 16. The diameter of each aperture 16 is very much smaller thanthe diameter of tube 14. Adjacent its upper end, the cartridge 14. .isfitted with an air inlet tube 17 whose outer end is threaded to receivea valve 21. In practice, the cartridge 19 and tubes 14 and1'7 are formedof metal or plastic. The opposite ends of the tube 14 extend beyond thecartridge 10 and each end is threaded. One end of the tube 14 is fittedwith a cap 13, and the other end of the tube 14 is fitted with a valve19.

The practice of this invention is readily understood by reference to theflow sheet in the drawings. The source of cold water for a cold waterpipe system is first cut off, conveniently, in the case of a modernurban residential dwelling, at the water meter as by closing the mainshut off valve in the house and then disconnecting the water meter. Coldwater is drained from the pipe system through the source pipe or servicepipe, in the case of the dwelling.

Although not necessary, it is prefer-able to isolate the hot waterheater from the cold water pipe during a cleaning operation conducted inaccordance with this invention. As many hot water heaters are simply cutoff from the cold water pipe by a convenient existent valve arrangement,the isolation can often be simply accomplished. Preferably, the hotwater heater is left filled with water.

To each faucet, cock, tap, valve, or the like, in the systern forstarting, stopping, or regulating water flow to the atmosphere from thesystem is preferably connected to a trap. This trap can be of anyconvenient and conventional form. Largely as a matter of convenience, Iprefer to use plastic bags so formed that a bag mouth can be drawn tightaround the discharge spigot of the faucet. Air holes formed in the bagwall near the faucet spigots so that when the spigot protrudes into thebag it is possible for air or gas to escape through the holes and forliquid to travel onward and be retained in the bag. In place of suchplastic bags it is frequently convenient to use any convenient andreadily available receptacle and simply to wrap cloths around the mouthof the spigot and the mouth of the receptacle when the spigot ispositioned over the receptacle mouth, the cloth being left loose enoughso as to permit the ready escape of air or gas. It is convenient toconnect the cartridge 10 to the service pipe or source pipe which feedswater to an entire residence. Water meter hook-up spacing is an AmericanStandard measurement, so that by making tube 14 of a length suitable forfitting into the meter space, the cartridge 10 is readily connected tothe system. When the tube 14 of the cartridge it) replaces a watermeter, either of two connections is possible. In one connection the cap18 is left on the tube 14 and the valve 19 is directly connected to thesource pipe 23. The arrangement shown on the drawings is suitable forconnection to cast iron galvanized pipe. V/hen copper tubing isinvolved, sweat fittings or the like can be used for joining thecartridge 10 to the source pipe 23. In the other connection the cap 18is removed and a union is employed to connect the tube 14 to the serviceentrance, especially when there is a valve positioned between the watermeter (in its normal position) and the entrance of the service pipe intothe house or building. In this latter situation, when flushing isdesired at the close of a cleaning operation performed in accordancewith the teachings of this invention, the valve in the service pipe isopened admitting fresh water to the system directly.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that in thecleaning of very large water delivery systems in accordance with theinvention, the cleaning flushing operations can be introduced into anypart of the system.

Usually, after the cylinder or cartridge 1 .1 is connected to the sourcepipe 23 and valve 19 is closed between the cartridge 1! and the sourcepipe 23, a source of compressed gas is connected to the cartridge 19through the Patented Feb. 1%, H265 ,3 Q pipe 17. This source ofcompressed gas (which can be atmospheric air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen,or other inert gas) is usually available commercially in cylinders, oneof whichis herein designated by the numeral Cylinder 2 3 is connectedvith the pipe 17 by means of tubing 25. Somewhere between the pipe 17and the cylinder 24 is mounted a conventional reduction valve assembly26 for controlling air pressure in cartridge 16.

The cartridge it? functions as a reservoir. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that any apparatus which functions in a manner similarto that ere described in relation to cartridge it can be used as areservoir in the practice of this invention. The plug 11 is removed andreservoir of cartridge 1 is filled with a cleaning solution usually tothe level of air inlet tube 17. Observe that the cartridge ll? ismounted so as to be in a generally upright position. After filling, theplug it is replaced and screwed tight. Pipe dope is conveniently appliedto all screw fittings for sealing, water-tight engagements.

After the reservoir of cartridge it) has been filled as described withcleaning solution, it is pressurized from the source of compressed gas.Usually the air pressure is from about to lbs. per square inch; althoughit will be appreciated that higher pressures can occasionally beemployed expeditiously in particular use situations, depending on thetype of pipe involved, joints, age, etc.

Depending upon the type of cleaning solution, it is next convenient toprovide either one of two alternative procedures. If a cleaning solutionis employed which is corrosive or destructive of the pipes themselvesover long periods of time, such as when an acid is used to clean outhard water deposits in galvanized iron pipe, the following procedure isemployed. The procedure is first to open all faucets and valves ventingto the atmosphere and then admit pressurized cleaning solutionto thewater delivery system through the source pipe 23 from the reservoir ofcartridge it). In situations, the amount of cleaning solution employedis usually less than the volume of liquid which would be required tofill the entire cleaning system with solution in the absence of pressureand with the mouth of the source pipe 23 plugged or closed.

The alternative procedure if the cleaning solution employed is notparticularly corrosive of the pipes involved, as is the casewhecommercial copper and brass cleaners are employed to cleanse copperpipes, is to admit the pressurized cleaning solution to the water systemthrough the source pipe 23 from the reservoir of cartridge 10 with thefaucets and valves venting to the atmosphere initially closed. Then,individually, each faucet and valve venting to the atmosphere is openedand the cleaning solution is permitted to vent from such opening untilthe cleaning solution sprays out of each such opening. The total amountof cleaning solution in this event is usua ly in volume approximatelyequal to that used in the previously described alternative procedure.

The next step involves optionally draining any residual cleaningsolution from the system. This optional step can be used particularlywhen the cleaning solution does not contain strong acid or alkaliharmful to the pipe system, so that such a draining step does notharmfully prolong contact of cleaning solution with pipe interiors. Thisis accomplished by conveniently opening a drain plug of valve 15" andpermitting any liquid in the source pipe 23 to drain outward into theatmosphere. When strong acids or alkalis are involved, they should bepromptly neutralized or flushed from the system without taking the timeto drain the system of such clearung agents before proceeding to thenext step.

Thereafter, the valve 19 is closed, and the next optional step of theinvention can be performed. t is at this point that the reservoir of thecartridge 1% is filled wi h a flushing solution, for example, an acidneutralizer in the case Where an has been used to clean pipes (i.e.,galvanized iron pipes as described above). After the reservoir of thecartridge 19 has been filled with liquid, it is pressured from thesource of compressed air.

Then, with the faucets and venting valves open, the pressurized flushingsolution is admitted to the system through the source pipe 23 from thereservoir of the cartridge it It will be appreciated that this step offilling with. flushing solution and flushing is optional and need not beemployed in the practice of this invention.

The next step is to disconnect the reservoir of cartridge ll? and removethe traps from the faucets and valves and also to disconnect the sourceof compressed air from the cartridge 1% in an associated separate step.

Next, the cold water source is reconnected to the source pipe 23, as byreinserting the water (not shown) into the service line or source pipe23. Finally, the pipes are flushed by allowing water to run through thesystem and by venting the water through the faucets and valves.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that instead of using acylinder of the design as described above, any similar cylinderaccomplishing an equivalent result can be used. The main point is thatthe liquid in the cartridge it) should be forced through small vents 15so as to accomplish a breakdown of the liquid under the gas pressure andthereby produce a certainamount of atomization or degree of atomizationin the cleaning solution entering thesource pipe 23 and pipes of theWater delivery system.

The invention is further illustrated by reference to the followingexamples:

(1) In a two-bedroom, contemporary home of approximately 1450 sq. ft.,the plumbing system, which is constructed of galvanized cast iron pipe,is found to be contaminated with considerable corrosion and depositionof solid material from the local municipal Water resulting inconsiderable diminution of Water output from throughout the house. Thehouse has 1 /2 baths, a kitchen and laundry tubs and a conventional gasfired hot water heating system.

As a first step, the water source is cut off using the shut-01f valvelocated between the water meter and the basement Wall, and the watermeter is removed. All faucets and valves throughout the house areopened, and the hot water heater-is isolated by closing the shut-oilvalve located above the tank and the cold water input line. A plastictrap, as described above, having a liquid holding capacity of about 1 /2gallons is afiixed to the spigot of each faucet. Next, the cartridge 19,having a capacity of about 1 /2 gallons, is positioned in the serviceline where the Water meter was normally located. One end of the pipe 14-faces toward the input side (i.e., toward the basement wall) andisconnected to that side by means of a union. The other end of pipe 14isfitted with valve 19 and the valve 19 serves as a connecting unionbetween pipe 14 and pipe 23 in the manner generally shown, for example,in FIG; 3. The source pipe 23 is a conventional 2 pipe.

With valve 119 closed, plug 11 is removed and the reservoir of thecartridge 10 is filled with muriatic acid. After the plug 11 isreplacedand tightened, a cylinder of compressed air is connected to the gasinlet pipe 17 through valve 21. Valve 21 is now opened and the cartridge10 is pressured by 20 lbs. of compressed air. Next, valve 19 is opened.The action of the air on the acid forces the acid through the system anda chemical reaction then takes place and this reaction clears the pipesystem of all corrosion and debris formed in the water pipe system.During the process of pressurizing the line the cold water faucetsshould be opened so as to vent the Water system and allow the drainingof the acid. When cartridge 10 is exhausted and after air, muriatic acidand spray have been allowed to vent from each faucetand valve venting tothe atmosphere, the valves 19 and 21 are closed. Thereafter, the plug 11is removed and the cartridge 10 is immediately filled with a sodasolution formed by dissolving 1 lb. sodium bicarbonate and 2 gallons ofwater. The soda solution flushes the system and neutralizes the muriaticacid. Then, the plug 11 is replaced and the cartridge pressured asbefore with about lbs. of compressed air. Next, the valve 19 is openedand the flushing solution is allowed to vent with compressed air andoperate from each faucet and valve venting to the atmosphere.

Now, valve 21 is closed and the valve admitting municipal water isopened allowing tap water to flow through the pipe 14 so as to flush theentire system briefly with tap water. Finally, the line valvecontrolling input of tap Water is again cutolf, and the cartridge 10 isremoved and replaced with the water meter as before. Excellent tap waterflow characteristics are observed at all faucets, spigots and valvesventing to the atmospher throughout the house. The residue obtained fromthe cleaning operation of the galvanized iron and steel piping consistsof a heavy sludge with small pieces of rather hard material in chunkyform.

(2) A home similar to that described in Example 1 but having a copperpipe system is observed to have similar difficulty in distribution ofthe water from the house input to and through all faucets and valvesventing to the atmosphere. Following a procedure similar to thatdescribed in Example 1, a cartridge 10 having a /1" copper pipe 14, amating valve 19, and a mating sweat fitting for coupling copper pipe isconnected in the source line in place of the water meter. Instead ofmuriatic acid there is employed a commercial copper and bronze cleanercontaining oxalic acid. Here, before releasing pressurized cleaningsolution irom the cartridge 10, the faucets and valves venting to theatmosphere are closed. Then, following release of the pressured cleaningsolution to the pipes, individual valves are opened and allowed to ventbriefly cleaning solution, spray, and compressed air to the atmosphere.In this way the cleaning solution is allowed to remain in the pipingsystem for a longer period of time which is not harmful to the pipeswhen a relatively non-corrosive cleaning solution is employed. Theresidue from the copper piping is of a greenish-black color, and thesubstance is assumed to be copper oxide with a small amount of manganesewhich is present in most natural well Waters. There is also observed asmall amount of small particles of fine sand which presumably come fromthe source of water supply and which lay in the piping and are movedonly by the application of air and solution. The residue is of a ratherthin watery substance.

Next, after all of the liquid has been vented from the valves andfaucets, the air pressure is out OE and the tap water supply sourceopened. Thereafter, water is intro- E3 duced into the system through allspigots and valves for a few minutes to flush the line. Observe nointermediate flushing operation is employed. Excellent tap water flowcharacteristics are observed at all faucets, spigots and valves ventingto the atmosphere throughout the house.

Since the actual composition of the cleaning solutions used in thepractice of this invention are conventional, such formulations are notdescribed in detail herein.

My invention has been tho-roughly tested and found to be completelysatisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while Ihave shown and described a preferred embodiment, I wish it to bespecifically understood that the same is capable of modification withoutdeparture from the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A casing having (a) an elongated outlet tube at its lower end whichextends normal to the axis thereof and joined directly thereto, and

(b) which communicates with the interior thereof through the medium of aplurality of longitudinally spaced apertures each having cross-sectionalareas appreciably smaller than the cross-sectional area of said tube,

(c) means at the upper end of said casing for introducing liquidthereinto,

(d) independent means for introducing air under pressure into saidcasing above the fluid level thereof,

(e) and means on one end of said outlet tube for detachably connectingsame to a water pipe delivery system,

(f) the opposite side portions of said casing converging to a width atthe point of joinder thereof with said outlet tube less than thediameter of said outlet tube.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 563,921 7/96Gridley 137-604 X 870,981 11/07 Matchette et al 137-604 X 1,221,851 4/17Etienne 137-268 XR 1,931,527 10/33 Burkett et a1 137-238 XR 2,189,9502/40 Gump 137-15 2,196,176 4/40 Brigham 137-15 2,493,870 1/50 Hartwick137-268 XR 2,743,134 4/56 Smith 239-311 2,758,877 8/ 56 Gleason 137-604X 3,035,599 5/62 Loss 137-240 ISADOR WEIL, Primary Examiner.

